The AntsCanada Ant Forum's

I have got a species of ant called messor barbarus. I have put the test tube in the tank for a day now and they won't leave it. They sometimes mooch about but they won't make a nest. Is there a way to make them leave or should i just tip the test tube out?

Ants prefer damp soil, so try to dampen the soil so that the ants can dig tunnels in it. You can encourage ants to move by using bright light, as long as you do not burn them. I was in exactly the same situation, and tipped my Messor barbarus colony out of the test tube, and they had dug a nest in a day. If you are worrying about the ants getting hurt from falling, ants physically cannot take damage from falls, no matter from which height due to a low terminal velocity.

I do not think that forcing ants out of a test tube by tipping them out is dangerous, yet may cause stress, but not enough to cause any damage. If you are using this approach, though, maybe take the cotton out of the test tubes and give it to the ants, it may contain brood. I do not know if this would help, but it is best to give the ants the cotton just in case.

I did the same to a Messor barbarus colony, and it worked, so I hope you get a possitive result as well.

I hope this helps
Good luck